Samsung Pro NVMe M.2 SSDs are well known for their speed, reliability, and compatibility with high-performance systems, including MacBooks using external enclosures or custom installations. However, when an NVMe SSD fails to mount or detect, it often indicates firmware corruption, controller failure, or file system damage, making stored data inaccessible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered personal and work-related files for a local priest from a Samsung Pro NVMe M.2 SSD, after his MacBook failed to detect or mount the drive.
As Cambridge Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used chip-level NVMe diagnostics, firmware repair, and deep forensic data extraction techniques to restore lost files.
The Challenge: MacBook Not Detecting or Mounting Samsung Pro NVMe SSD
A local priest contacted us after his Samsung Pro NVMe SSD stopped working on his MacBook, with the following issues:
- The SSD was not appearing in Disk Utility or Finder.
- MacBook’s Terminal command (
diskutil list) did not recognize the drive. - Attempts to use an external enclosure and a different MacBook also failed.
- The drive contained personal documents, sermons, research, and religious archives.
Since MacBook users often rely on external enclosures for NVMe SSD storage, firmware corruption or compatibility issues could cause the drive to become undetectable, requiring specialised recovery techniques.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Samsung Pro NVMe SSD arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and software diagnostic. Our findings:
- SSD controller failure – Preventing the MacBook from detecting the SSD.
- APFS file system corruption – Making stored files inaccessible.
- No NAND flash memory degradation – Meaning data recovery was highly possible through logical repair.
Since MacBooks use the APFS (Apple File System), which can become corrupted after sudden disconnections or power failures, we prioritised chip-level diagnostics and file system repair.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the NVMe SSD to Preserve Data Integrity
To avoid further corruption, we:
- Created a forensic sector-by-sector clone of the Samsung Pro NVMe SSD.
- Used specialized NVMe recovery tools to bypass firmware issues and extract readable data.
2. Repairing the SSD Firmware & File System
Since the drive’s firmware and APFS file system were corrupted, we:
- Repaired the SSD controller firmware to restore functionality.
- Rebuilt the APFS volume structures to restore missing partitions.
3. Extracting & Verifying Personal & Religious Data
Once the SSD was accessible, we:
- Recovered sermons, theological research, and digital books.
- Repaired damaged Word, PDF, and Keynote files.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our NVMe firmware repair and deep sector recovery techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the priest’s lost data, including:
✅ Sermons, research notes, and religious archives
✅ Personal documents, digital books, and theological studies
✅ Organized file structures restored for easy access
The priest was able to regain access to all his critical documents, preventing permanent data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading NVMe SSD data recovery specialists in Cambridge and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Samsung NVMe SSD firmware repair & controller recovery
✔ APFS partition repair & macOS file system reconstruction
✔ Secure & confidential recovery for personal & religious data
✔ Fast, fixed-price data recovery with no hidden fees
If your MacBook is not detecting your NVMe SSD, failing to mount, or preventing access to critical files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert SSD data recovery.